Knockdown chaise longue



Dec. 2, 1952 c; P. MOLLA xnocxnovm cmuss: mucus Filed March 12, 1946 INVENTORI iAiZiJ 5026:1404 M Patented Dec. 2, 1952 2,620,021 KNOCKDOWN CHAISE LONGUE Charles P. Molla, New Hyde Park, N. Y., assignor to Molla Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 12, 1946, Serial No. 653,840

3 Claims. (01. 155-162) This invention relates to articles of furniture, generally known as chaise-longues, employing a pair of wheels for moving the chaise-longue freely about and over a supporting surface upon lifting the other end portion of the lounge. More particularly, the invention deals with furniture of the kind defined composed of detachably coupled parts or sections whereby when the parts or sections are detached, the complete assemblage can be packed and stored in a relatively small and narrow container, thereby facilitating storage, handling and shipment thereof. Still more particularly, the invention deals with a lounge of the character described employing in conjunction with an adjustable back rest a canopy top forming a hood or closure for the rear head end portion of the chaise-longue, with means for retaining the canopy in extended and collapsed positions in the different positions of the adjustable back rest in the chaise-longue. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and in which the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views; and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chaise-longue in partially set-up position, parts of the construction being broken away and separated, and omitting the covering andfacing material usually employed on the canopy and further showing the cushions in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the mounting of the canopy brackets in conjunction with the side rails of the back rest, only part of the canopy being shown and indicating in dot and dash lines the facing material upon the canopy hoops or ribs.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the rear end portion of the chaise-longue, with parts of the construction omitted and parts of the structure broken away.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detailed view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing the mounting of the leg and arm rest portions or sections upo the chaise-longue frame.

Fig. 5 is a partial section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a partial section on the line 6--fi of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a container diagrammatically illustrating in dotted lines the arrangement of the various parts or sections of the knockdown chaise-longue therein.

In the construction of what are generally known as chaise-longues, the same have been constructed of pre-assembled and fixedly secured parts. which form in the resulting article of furniture, a relatively awkward and difficult piece of furniture to handle. By reason of the awkwardness, the same is susceptible to damage in shipment and transportation, and furthermore, takes up considerable space in storage. Still further, unitary structures of this type and kind have resulted in limited uses by reason of the fact that the average home does not have facili ties for winter storage of furniture of this type and kind.

I overcome objections to present type of chaiselongue constructions by constructing the same of detachably coupled and collapsibly related sections whereby the complete article can be packed, stored and shipped in a box or carton, of a length,

a width and thickness defined by the main body portion or section of the chaise-longue, or of the canopy portion thereof if the same is retained assembled on the chaise-longue or if the latter is employed. In this connection, it will be understood that the inclusion of the canopy top is left optional with the purchasers choice. At this time, it will also be understood that the chaiselongue may be constructed of what may be considered a single type or of a double type, in which latter instance, the entire piece of furniture is made wider to accommodate two or more people. Considering Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown a single type of chaise-longue, which comprises a base or seat section ID, a back rest section II, side arm sections l2-l2 and a canopy section [3, all of these sections being detachably coupled, including wheel members I l-l4 which are detachable with respect to parts of the section to. In Fig. 1 of the drawing, the chaise-longue is shown diagrammatically in a partiallyset-up condition, showing parts separated, parts broken away and removed, in order to simplify the illustration. The section I0 comprises a heavy elongated U-shaped top frame 15, the cross head l6 of which defines the foot end of the lounge. The side members of the frame [5 are curved upwardly, as seen at 11-11 and then downwardly, as seen at l8-|8', the ends of the sides of the frame terminating in enlarged bearing portions |9--I9'. Inwardly and adjacent the ends l9-I9, the frame l5 has downwardly and rearwardly extending wheel supporting portions 20-20, each having inwardly extending axles having large integral collars 22 and reduced ends 23 for supporting a washer 24 held in place by a cotter-pin or similar fastening 25. This construction provides quick and easy coupling and uncoupling of the Wheels l4-l4' at will.

Welded or otherwise integrally joined with the front corner portions of the frame l5 are downwardly extending legs 26-26. Between the legs 26-26 and the wheel supporting members 2020', the sides of the section [0 have a plurality of rods, as at 21--21' for reinforcing the side of the section and also giving character 3 thereto. In the construction shown, the rods 21-21 substantially conform to the curved contour of the-sidesof theframev l. The" sides of the frame l5 between the upwardly and down.- wardly curved portions have inwardly extending brackets 28-48 welded or otherwise secured:

thereto and one of which is shown. insection. in. Fig. 4 of the drawing. Similar brackets" extend outwardly from the wheel supporting members; as shown at 29-29. These;- two. brackets pro;- vide means for coupling the side arm sections I2l2 with the section it, as later described. The side members of the frame [5 are joined-"inwardly of and adjacent the members Elli-20 by a cross rod 35 and extending between said rod and the cross head- I Be and welded: or. otherwise secured theretoare..a,plurality of resilient. spring bands 31 interfitted. with aplurality of, cross bands 32 secured to. and. extending, betweenv the sides of the frame 15: Thebands-Jil aid in sup;- porting the bands 3i ina: contour, conforming;- substantially to the contour of. the curved: sides 11-41 and Iii-48 ofthe frame l5,'aS:Wi11-C1ea1f:- 1y appear from a consideration of Fig. l.- of the drawing;

The bands-3i and 321form a yieldableror spring likesupport for: the body of the canopy of. the chair, thus rendering the samecomfortablerto sit upon, particularly. in the arrangement of. cushions on. the. section I 0,, as. well: as on the face. of". the section II. In. dot. and dash lines-in L of. the.drawing.I- have indicated at 33t-the bottom. cushion and at. 34- theback' rest cushion. The cushions are usually packed in independent wrappers or containers :so as toenable-a merchant to-supply a purchaser witha chaiselongue of a. predetermined color or combination; of colors.- with. cushionsof' different. colors and/or. designs, thereby minimizing. stocking; ofcompleteicushionedunits.-

The-back or back rest section. II comprises. a small U-shaped Ham-e35, the c1voss-head=-3.6; of which forms thetopof; theback rest and Sir-31. shows-the side arms-zof theframe 35.. The-ends of thesearms terminate. in bearing; portions 38-38! adapted'tov be secured=to theibear-ingzpor tionsl9-|9- of the. frame [9: by bolts, assat'39q thus. providing a=pivotalmounting; of the; backrest section H upon-the-sectiona H1;v as well asa detachablemounting with. respect thereto; The backrest section? H may bersirnply swung'upon. the seat section. 10, partly! indicated indotted linesineFig, 3 of the. drawing. Integrally join. ing; the side members;313r1 of; theaback-zrest section l-l, adjacent the bearings; 3Be-334, is a? crossrod 4-0. Extending'betweenitherrod'45 and= the cross head 35, are.a.pluralityv of spring-bands. 4 I, and another spring 'band: 422 extends between the sides 31-31. Aseach side. on arm; section.v l2-I-2- is of. the same construction, the.- brief; description of one-will: apply'to; both. One-a of=. these sections is. shown rather' clejarlyin. Fig. 3: of; the drawing, and each section comprises. a. heavy'frameA3=having;a11eg;end144 joininggahcria zontal arm rest? portion. 45: in a: curyed-I part-146;. At therrear of thearm-rest portion 15; iseaedownr wardly: and; forwardly curved: bracket portion. 41 having on the inner surface thereof vertically.- spaced hook-shaped. members 48,, 49,, 50. and: 5|. The hook shaped-members-are adapted ,toreceive aback rest supporting, rod 5.2-, whichis-adapted. to be supp-ortedin any one of the:hook.members in retaining the back. rest. sectionin any one ofa number of positions from a. moroorless.up.-- right position, to. a reclining position, forming a.

relatively flat bed of the complete structure except for the curved contour provided and clearly illustratediin Fig.2]. of the drawing;

The upper end-of the; leg. portion; 44 of each section l2-I2' has an inwardly extending bracket 53, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 4 ofv the drawing, adapted to be secured to the bracket 28'--28 by bolts 54 passed through aperturesdn,said'brackets. The curved end portionsifliterminaterat their lower ends in bracket plates55. adapted: to be bolted to the brackets 2.9-29,.as willclearly appear from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing. In Fig. 1,,thebrackets 55 and 29 are shown in a partially separated position, ready for assemblage, in order to; clearly. illustrate: this structure..- The sections; 1 2.- I 25 each include a.pair. ofrod .memhere 55. welded or-otherwise. securedto .the-Jframes- 43,. primarily to. give, greater. width to... the. arm. restportionand also tostrengthenthesepontions. the rods 56., conform. to the generaliconr tour, oftheframes 43...

The above. described. construction .will; form. a complete. chaiseelongue suitable for. use. upon a porchor under trees, awning, or. other. shelters. on a .terrace .or. lawn.

However,,in someinstances, it-is dcsirableto include as,- a'. part. of; the. complete. structure. a. canopy. top, andinFig. 1. of..the,.drawing,, Lhave: shown the:.skeletonror; framework-.of the canopy. top, omitting. the cover. or. facing, materiallemr ployed. to. join or. couple. the. various hoops. or. ribs of. the canopy. this being, done. to, simplify, the.present.i1lustration.. The canopy section. I31 comprises. two. similar bracketparts. 5.1,. oneof which. is :shown in-detail in Fig. .2..of. thedrawing. These bracket parts. have. at their. outer. ends. upwardly directed; elongated channels. 58}, in. which, the ends. of aplurality, of. 'hoopaon ribs. 59, B0,. 6 I. and 62. are pivotally mounted;. These hoopsare ofithe general ,cmwedcontour. indicated; in Fig. 1, and.the hoopsor ribs .areheld 1116K? tended; or-open. position by. a. pair. of. lock levers at. each side. thereof .adjacentthelbrackets. 512.0.ne. lever. being shown. at.- 63,. and. being, pivoted. to. therods 5.9 ,,-as.at 5A.. The other. lever. 65 isi'pivot'r ed: to the. rods 62;, as. at. 6.5,, said, levers. being, pivoted together centrally,.asseeniatr61;, The levers63 have upwardly andrearwardly. extending, hand grip portions- 68. and. inwardly. extend. ing. lip: portions.- 6.5. at. their. pivot. ends. 611. The. lip-r portions. 69. are. adapted. toioverlie, the'levers. 65:111.- supporting. and maintaining. the hoops; or. ribs in extended separated position. However,, by; lifting the. handle. members 68; the same. may be. drawn. together. into collapsed. position. and. this. operation can. take placein. positio'rnof. the back rest section IL. .It.willl'be..understood; that the canvasor; other. cover-mg, materialias indicated. in dot. and; dash; lines at 10. in- Fig. 2. of the drawing: will. support. and, maintain, the. ribs fill-6| in spaced relationship.to eachbther: and. to the ribs: 59.- and-L 52: when: the canopy; is in open or fully extended posit-ion; p

The brackets: 51? includevverticalrod; portions 1! having apertured: bearings 12;- at; their lower: ends adapted: to: be; mounted& on; thesbolts ,3 5; the rods havingattheiruppen ends inwardlyyextend ing- LL-shaped portions: 15 engagingrthez sides 31-31 to brace andmeinforceithe bracket mountt-- ing.;upon-thefbackmestsectionz I 4.

The hoop or rib.- 62; includes? a. pair. ofrsupple mental ribs. 14' welded. or. otherwise. secured, to. inner: surfaces-- of. upp r portions thereof and;

5 united, as.-.seen.at. 15. Welded to theunitedi porjtions '15 is a downwardly extending coupling plate '16, note Fig. 6, adapted to be bolted to the center strip 4| of the back rest II, as by bolts Tl. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the complete canopy can be detached by removing the bolts 17 and by removing the bracket ends 51 or the bars H thereof from the bolts 39.

It will be understood that the assemblage of the rear hoop or rib 62 with the back rest II will maintain said hoop or rib in alinement with the back rest, and the other hoops or ribs are extended forwardly with respect thereto, a distance controlled by the length of the levers and their arrangement upon pivot end portions of the hoops or ribs. In other words, the canopy will be either fully collapsed in a position substantially in alinement with the back rest I l or fully extended forwardly of the back rest and in either of these positions will move with the back rest in adjusting the same from the fully upright to the fully reclined positions.

A chaise longue constructed of the more or less light framework construction employed can be easily shifted about from place to place by simply lifting on the forward cross head end it of the chaise-longue and conveying the chaise-longue on the wheels l4i4 over a supporting surface. On the other hand, the four legs in conjunction with the wheels will firmly support the chaiselongue against shifting on a supporting surface, the legs all preferably have the enlarged feet to prevent piercing or injuring a soft supporting surface. In disassembling the parts,,the top or canopy section 13 and back section I I are removed by removing the bolts 39. In this operation the rod 52 is detached, thereafter the side or arm sections l2-i 2 are detached, and then the Wheels M-l ll are removed. This leaves a relatively thin frame having the depth governed by the height of the front end portion of the section and the distance between the ends l9l 9 and the axle ends 2 1, taking also into consideration the curvature of the section 10 in the upwardly curved sides 11-41. All of the removed parts can be conveniently packed within the environment of the section 10 for placement in an elongated carton or container 18 in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawing.

As previously stated, in some instances, the back section I I may be retained in its pivotal coupling with the section It and simply swung onto the upper surface of the section In, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing. However, a more compact packaging is possible by detaching the section II. The parts or sections can be quickly and easily assembled by first mounting the wheels in position, then securing the side sections 12-12 in position, thereafter attaching the back section II together with the canopy section l3, if the latter is employed. The rod 52 is then placed in position to support the back rest II in this assemblage.

By constructing the bottom or seat section 10 in the concaved contour disclosed, greater comfort is provided to the occupant of the chaiselongue, and further the occupant is retained against downward sliding, as would otherwise be the case. The curvature is slight and not enough to interfere with the comfort of the occupant, either in the upright sitting position, partially reclined position, or in the fully reclined or bed position.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is! 1. In knockdown chaise-longues comprising a plurality of detachably coupled sections including a back rest section, a base section, and detachable arm rest sections, said base section comprising an elongated substantially U-shaped frame having a front cross head and rearwardly extending sides terminating in pivot ends, means bracing and spacing the rear ends of said sides, the front end of the base section having downwardly extending leg members, the rear portions of the sides of the base section adjacent said pivot ends having downwardly and rearwardly extending wheel supporting members, said members having axle ends, said back rest section being pivoted to the pivot ends of said base section, means for detachably coupling wheels with said axle ends, and means for detachably coupling said arm rest sections to the sides of the base section and said wheel supporting members.

2. In knockdown chaise-longues comprising a plurality of detachably coupled sections including a back rest section, a base section, and detachable arm rest sections, said base section comprising an elongated substantially U-shaped frame having a front cross head and rearwardly extending sides terminating in pivot ends, means bracing and spacing the rear ends of said sides, the front end of the base section having downwardly extending leg members, the rear portions of the sides of the base section adjacent said pivot ends having downwardly and rearwardly extending wheel supporting members, said members having axle ends, said back rest section being pivoted to the pivot ends of said base section, means for detachably coupling wheels with said axle ends, means for detachably coupling said arm rest sections to the sides of the base section and said wheel supporting members, said arm rest sections including downwardly extending leg portions disposed between the axle ends of the base section and the front legs thereof, and means adjustably supported on the arm rest sections for adjustably supporting said back rest section.

3. In knockdown chaise-longues comprising an elongated base section having suitable supporting means at opposed ends thereof, a back rest section swingably and detachably mounted at the rear of the base section, a canopy detachably connected to said back rest section by means comprising brackets rigidly fixed to the back rest section for supporting a plurality of curved ribs detachably pivoted to said bracket, means detachably connecting one of said ribs on the back rest section, the other ribs being movable about their pivots toward and from said first named rib, and means for extending and collapsing the ribs and for holding the ribs in extended position.

CHARLES P. MOLLA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 638,100 Courtney Nov. 28, 1899 1,185,181 Collins May 30, 1916 1,215,609 Arnold Feb. 13, 1917 1,545,552 Crosby July 14, 1925- 1,987,335 Gittings et al Jan. 8, 1935 2,020,207 Platter Nov. 5, 1935 2,150,478 Yerrick Mar. 14, 1939 

